Wesley Buchanan, professor emeritus of New Testament Studies, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C., author of 19 books and 61 articles on both testaments, theology and rabbinic literature, and board member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Biblical Archeological Review, says that 2,000 years ago the Roman fortress known as Antonia (after Mark Antony) was an unclean area for orthodox Jews. They would not willingly enter that area. (It is thought Jesus was brought there.) Buchanan tells us that recently archaeologists discovered a mikwah, a ritual bath in front of the area. Any Jew, required to enter the Antonia, could cleanse themselves afterward from being defiled as soon as he exited the area.

Today, under the mistaken notion that this place was the former temple area, people, including President Donald Trump, come from all over the world to worship at the Western Wall. Presumably God’s presence (the Shekinah) is just on the other side. Thus, God will hear them. Buchanan says, “the evidence informs us that on the other side of that wall dwelt Mars, the Roman god of war.”

May it be that by praying to the God of War we are getting what we pray for?